Trading Standards Officer

3 Month Contract With A Local Authority

The Trading Standards Officer – Technical will carry out complex and serious criminal compliance enforcement activities across the regulatory service. Working within a generic Trading Standards team, the post holder will undertake inspections, surveys, investigations and enforcement activity to identify legal contraventions and secure business compliance.

The role requires a high level of professional judgement and autonomy, with responsibility for assessing risk, selecting and implementing appropriate enforcement action, resolving complex issues and providing specialist Trading Standards advice. The post holder will also contribute to service development, partnership working, policy implementation and the supervision and development of less experienced colleagues.

Key Responsibilities

• Undertake and/or supervise complex Trading Standards investigations and projects involving a range of internal and external stakeholders.
  


• Conduct inspections, surveys, investigations and compliance activities relating to Trading Standards legislation.
  


• Identify legal contraventions, assess risk and select, recommend and implement appropriate enforcement action in accordance with relevant policies and procedures.
  


• Utilise the full range of enforcement powers, from informal education and advice through to formal legal proceedings.
  


• Prepare reports, correspondence, interview records and case files, and brief Legal Services as required.
  


• Give evidence in court and attend case conferences, Council meetings and other formal proceedings when required.
  


• Investigate consumer complaints and enquiries and provide appropriate resolutions.
  


• Provide professional and technical advice to members of the public, businesses and commercial undertakings.
  


• Respond to enquiries and complaints from Councillors, Members of Parliament, senior managers, members of the public and business partners.
  


• Provide specialist advice, guidance, training and mentoring to less experienced colleagues and monitor the quality and consistency of their work.
  


• Participate in consistency exercises and initiatives to ensure Trading Standards legislation is enforced consistently and uniformly.
  


• Develop and maintain lead officer responsibility for one or more specialist areas within the Trading Standards service.
  


• Work collaboratively with Council departments, Local Authorities, professional bodies and external organisations, including statutory and voluntary agencies.
  


• Represent the Trading Standards Service at local, regional and national meetings, initiatives, projects and working groups.
  


• Contribute to local and national health promotion initiatives and wider regulatory projects.
  


• Research, review and contribute to the development and implementation of Trading Standards policies, procedures and service plans.
  


• Keep up to date with changes in legislation, statutory guidance, Government initiatives and relevant good practice.
  


• Monitor changes, trends and emerging issues and provide management information and recommendations to support service planning and improvement.
  


• Produce accurate management information, statutory returns, statistics and performance reports within required timescales.
  


• Identify opportunities to improve operational performance, efficiency and service delivery, highlighting significant risks and opportunities to senior management.
  


• Contribute to the assessment of service planning changes, resources, objectives, targets, fees and operational costs.
  


• Ensure the security, care and maintenance of equipment and evidence, including maintaining the continuity of the evidence chain.
  


• Ensure information and databases are accurate, secure and maintained in accordance with data protection requirements.
  


• Maintain confidentiality and comply with relevant legislation, statutory guidance, professional codes and Council policies.
  


• Deliver presentations and training to Council employees, external agencies and other stakeholders.
  


• Use effective negotiation, persuasion and communication skills to influence behaviour and achieve compliance.
  


• Work with a high degree of autonomy, exercising professional judgement in problem-solving, risk identification, prioritisation and decision-making.
  


• Support the effective delivery of agreed service levels and contribute to the continuous improvement of the Trading Standards service.
  

Requirements

Essential Skills / Experience / Qualifications

• Professional CTSI Trading Standards qualification, such as DTS/DCATS including Food and Legal Metrology modules, or equivalent, together with a university degree.
  


• Significant experience working within a Trading Standards service or relevant large urban authority/private sector organisation.
  


• Experience investigating consumer complaints and complex regulatory matters.
  


• Experience providing Trading Standards advice to members of the public and commercial undertakings.
  


• Strong knowledge of current and proposed Trading Standards legislation and statutory guidance.
  


• Knowledge and practical understanding of enforcement procedures and PACE.
  


• Proven ability to undertake complex investigations and projects independently.
  


• Experience preparing reports, correspondence and case files, conducting interviews and briefing Legal Services.
  


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively and influence behaviour at all levels.
  


• Strong negotiation, persuasion and problem-solving skills.
  


• Ability to work with minimal supervision and exercise sound professional judgement.
  


• Excellent time management and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands.
  


• Ability to represent a Trading Standards service at meetings and contribute to or lead regional initiatives and projects.
  


• Computer literacy and confidence using relevant IT systems and databases.
  


• Understanding and awareness of equality and diversity issues.
  


• Ability to work outside normal office hours where required to meet service needs.
  


• Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with data protection and information governance requirements.
  

Desirable Skills / Experience / Qualifications

• Additional qualifications or training in a field related to Trading Standards.
  


• Lead Auditor/Assessor qualification.
  


• Experience of training, mentoring and developing less experienced colleagues.
  


• Experience working with statutory, voluntary and other organisations to establish and deliver effective partnerships.
  


• Experience investigating enquiries from MPs or Councillors and preparing appropriate written responses.
  


• Experience delivering presentations and training.
  


• Experience preparing Cabinet reports.
  


• Experience of Civil Enforcement procedures and the Enterprise Act.
  


• Knowledge and experience of the appropriate care, security and maintenance of equipment and evidence, including continuity of the evidence chain.
  

Additional Information

• Bi-Weekly Payments
  


• Hours per Week: 36
  


• Location: Wirral MBC